Visiting Kids

[bendejo]

I have nephew. Well, his dad is a close friend and I’m called ‘uncle’ as a respect. A former classmate of his moved to Singapore, and there is the possibility they’ll send nephew to visit him next summer. It’ll be the kid’s first time out of the US. He’ll be 16.

I’m considering showing him a little more of the region while he’s out here, maybe taking him snorkeling in Malaysia, or a few other ideas, like they fly him to BKK and I meet him at the airport. Or maybe I would go down to Singapore to get them (I’d invite the other kid along of course), or have them meet me at the Malaysian border.

I have no idea about how immigration authorities deal with minors, I’d assume they wouldn’t let an unescorted minor simply cross the border, and with concerns about human trafficking etc I would think they wouldn’t let just anyone herd kids in/out of their countries.

Anyway this is just an idea, I’m probably crazy for thinking I can handle two spoiled middle-class teenagers.

I’d like to hear how other people have dealt with this. Aside from the frontier legalities, I’m also concerned it’ll look weird for a 60 year old codger going around with 2 underaged boys (remember that movie where Gerard Depardieu is on vacation with his daughter?) and any sort of letters of permission from the kids’ parents are challenged, meantime I have to sit in cell etc.

[Mario2008]

Under new airline/immigration rules have the parents both sign a letter giving permission to travel, with a copy of their ID-card.

If desired, airlines have facilities for unaccompanied minors, they will supervise them from check-in all the way to arrival and check the ID of the person collecting a child with the name given by the parents. Not sure till what age they do this.

[floridaguy]

Under new airline/immigration rules have the parents both sign a letter giving permission to travel, with a copy of their ID-card.

If desired, airlines have facilities for unaccompanied minors, they will supervise them from check-in all the way to arrival and check the ID of the person collecting a child with the name given by the parents. Not sure till what age they do this.

This is correct. At 16, he can travel unaccompanied. Meaning, you are not required to pay for the airline to send a chaperon to accompany him. This costs approximately 100USD, and at his age is only optional. Do have the letter, do register him as a minor when booking the flight, and be ready to show ID at the airport when you pick him up. They keep a great eye on them. They even moved my 2 kids to first class since there were seats available. As for crossing the border, I haven't done that yet, but I assume a blanket letter from the parents allowing them to travel with you should suffice.

[needforspeed]

Under new airline/immigration rules have the parents both sign a letter giving permission to travel, with a copy of their ID-card.

If desired, airlines have facilities for unaccompanied minors, they will supervise them from check-in all the way to arrival and check the ID of the person collecting a child with the name given by the parents. Not sure till what age they do this.

Each airlines has own rules on this, also some countries as Italy have special rules on unaccompanied traveling.

Here some details.

Aer Lingus2-11, on transatlantic routesChildren under 12 are not permitted to travel alone on Aer Lingus flights. Those aged 12 to 15 can do so, but their parent or guardian must sign a Form of Indemnity.Air France2-12, on international routesChildren aged between 5 and 11 can travel unaccompanied and are given priority when boarding. On flights within French territories the minimum age falls to 4.Air New Zealand2-11Children under 12 can travel as unaccompanied minors, though restrictions are in place for 5 to 7-year-olds. No-one under the age of 5 can travel alone.American Airlines2-11Children under 5 cannot travel alone and must be with someone aged 15 or over. Kids aged 5 to 7 can travel as unaccompanied minors on most routes, excluding those that require a change of aircraft. All 8 to 14-year-olds can travel alone as long as they do not have an onward connection. Finally, 15 to 17-year-olds are considered Young Adults but can still make use of the Unaccompanied Minors service if they wish.British Airways2-12, some routesChildren aged 5 to 12 can travel alone but must be registered with BA's Skyflyer Solo service. Otherwise, they must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over. Restrictions apply to journeys which include a stop-over lasting more than six hours.Cathay Pacific2-12Children aged between 6 and 12 must register as unaccompanied minors in order to travel alone. Those aged 12 to 18 can also make use of the service by request, while kids under 6 are not allowed to fly without an adult.Continental Airlines2-12, on international ratesContinental designates solo flyers aged 5 to 14 as unaccompanied minors. Those aged 5 to 7 can only travel on non-stop flights; while 8 to 14-year-olds can also fly on connecting services as long as the itinerary does not include an overnight stop-over.Delta2-12, on international routesAn Unaccompanied Minors service is available for children between 5 and 14. Those aged 5 to 7 can only travel on direct flights, while some connecting services are open to older kids.easyJetInfants onlyChildren under 14 are not allowed to travel alone with easyJet under any circumstances. Rules for 14 to 17-year-olds vary according to the destination.Emirates2-11Children aged 5 to 11 are classified as unaccompanied minors and are cared for by dedicated ground staff. Older children up to 15 are classed as Young Passengers.Gulf Air2-11An escort can be requested for children aged 5 to 11 who are travelling alone.Jet2.comInfants onlyUnaccompanied children are not permitted on Jet2.com flights. Kids under 14 must travel with a companion aged 16 or over.KLM2-11Kids aged 5 to 11 are required to travel via the Unaccompanied Minor service. Those aged 12 to 17 may opt to do so, but can also travel independently.Lufthansa2-12Unaccompanied children ages 5-12 must make use of the airline's supervision service, or travel with someone who is at least 12 years of age. 12 to 17-year-olds can also be looked after at the request of a parent or guardian.Malaysian Airlines2-12Special programmes for children aged between 5 and 12, 13-15, and 16 onwards.MonarchNoneMonarch does not allow unaccompanied children to travel on its flights.Qantas2-11The parents of children aged between 5 and 11 who are travelling alone must fill out an Unaccompanied Minor form. Children aged between 12 and 15 may travel as UMs.Qatar Airways2-11All children aged 5 to 12 must make use of the Unaccompanied Minor service. An Escort Service is available to children between the ages of 3-5 years.Royal Brunei Airlines2-11Assistance will be provided to any passenger under the age of 15 who is travelling without an adult.RyanairInfant fares onlyRyanair does not permit children under 16 to travel unaccompanied.Singapore Airlines2-11All children aged 5 to 17 who are travelling without an adult must make use of SIA's Unaccompanied Minor service.Thai Airways2-11Children aged 5 to 12 must register as unaccompanied minors if travelling alone, while older kids up to 15 can also opt in to the service.Thomas Cook AirlinesNoneUnaccompanied minors are not permitted on Thomas Cook flights. Any child under 16 must be accompanied by a passenger over the age of 16.US AirwaysUnder 12Kids aged 5 to 14 can travel unaccompanied on direct flights, with assistance from US Airways staff. No assistance is required for 15 to 17-year-olds.Virgin Atlantic2-11Children aged 5 to 15 are allowed to fly unaccompanied.